Streams

Marathon Gives Boost to Businesses on Race Route

The New York City marathon that winds through all five boroughs on Sunday is one of the biggest moneymaking events of the year for the city and its businesses, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

During his weekly radio appearance on WOR Friday, the mayor said marathon fans come from all over the world, and many of them make a family vacation of it.

"They'll stay a week, a few days before, and a few days afterwards," Bloomberg said. "And so the economic impact is enormous."

Stores along the marathon route are ready to get some of those dollars.

Dunkin Donuts manager Afroza Ahmed, who works at Queens Plaza and Crescent Street, said crowds gather outside her store to watch runners get on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

"Obviously, it's a good day," she said. "Customers are coming. We're happy. You know?"

Eric Maksumov (right), who manages nearby Pumpernickel Bagel and Deli on 44th Drive, said since the business just opened this year it will be his first experience with the marathon.

"We don't know what to expect but everybody says it's huge," he said. "All the customers are saying it's going to be a lot of people, a lot of traffic."

Preet Singh, (below) who manages the Panini Tozt Cafe on Queens Plaza South, said last year the store was understaffed and unprepared for the big crowds.

"Last marathon, we were busy, but there were just two guys working," Singh said. "They called us, and then we came to help them. We're gonna be ready this time."

Singh said the restaurant is stocking up on breakfast foods, and the family's bodega two doors down — learning from past experience — is preparing to make extra coffee, tea and hot chocolate to keep the spectators warm on Sunday, when temperatures are expected to be in the 40s in the morning.

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